A church pastor grappled with a burglar who raided his church and restrained him until police arrived.

Philip Dixon, 44, of Briar Hill Court, Salford, had to be looked over in hospital after his tussle with Reverend Raymond Williams of Bethel Apostolic Ark Church, also in Salford.

While being examined, the 44-year-old thief grumbled to police: “I do jujitsu, what goes around comes round. I know where he lives - I’ve got mates.”

The Rev Raymond Williams was alerted to the break in at the Tetlow Lane premises by the security system at 5.30am and rushed from his nearby home

to see Dixon fleeing with items under his arm. After spotting that the rear door of the church was wide open, he ran after Dixon.

Alex Leach, prosecuting, told Manchester Crown Court: “The reverend caught the defendant and restrained him, and he dropped an Apple iMac he had stolen on the floor. After a short struggle the reverend was joined by his son and wife, together they dragged the defendant back to the church where police were called. The defendant was arrested and taken to Salford Royal Hospital for injuries apparently sustained as he attempted to escape.”

An inspection of the church’s community centre revealed the premises had been ransacked, a projector, equipment and food had been ‘bagged in readiness for removal’, with a total £2,000 of damage and theft.

Interviewed by police, Dixon claimed he ‘found’ the iMac and had then been ‘attacked’ by the pastor. The reverend told officers he had been left with a ‘sense of invasion’ which he believed would have a lasting effect on him and his family, while his wife said she suffered sleepless nights and ‘lasting concern for her safety’.

Following his arrest, Dixon went on to smash his way into the home of a former friend in Salford while he was at Alder Hey Hospital, Liverpool with his poorly son. Dixon was arrested after police found him sleeping at the property. He went on to admit burglary and criminal damage in connection with both offences, and has now been jailed for 15 months.

Kath Pierpoint, defending, said the April 6 burglary happened after Dixon took a ‘large amount of diazepam’.

“He didn’t realise it was church premises - he is ashamed of what he’s done”, she added.

Judge Michael Henshell, sentencing, told Dixon the reverend ‘has to be commended for his behaviour in detaining you.’